Page 38 of Tricks & Treats at The Cosy Cornish Bakery

Chloe giggled. ‘No, she can’t.’ She was warming to Pammy but feared it was strictly a one-sided relationship. She wondered if she’d still be around for the Christmas craft fair, although if this was an example of what was on sale she wouldn’t be missing out on much. ‘I better go. We’re heading off for a late lunch.’

Pammy hmphed.

‘I’ll leave you to it, then. Look after Pinky.’ Chloe closed the door gently, deliberating about Pammy. Her life must be empty if she was content to sit in a closed café and watch the world go by.

‘Everything okay?’ Nik asked.

‘Yes.’ Chloe frowned. ‘I’m just a bit worried about Pammy. She seems lonely.’

‘I don’t know much about her.’ He shrugged, trying to prevent Ziggy from chewing Pinky Scarecrow’s feet. ‘She’s just always been a fixture in the village. Always around.’

But unnoticed. Taken for granted, Chloe thought. She brightened, smiling up at him. ‘Right, let’s walk up to see this Wicker Man and then grab something to eat. I’m starving. Why would that be, Ziggy?’

The dog barked at her, completely unrepentant.

CHAPTER 20

Over the last few days, the fair had gradually taken over Ticky Tacky Green. It was an old-fashioned affair with a brightly painted merry-go-round, waltzers, swing boats and a helter-skelter, and stalls with games like a coconut shy and hoopla. The straw bales from the book sale had been left out for seating although were looking decidedly saggier than before and stalks of straw had been walked all over the village. Before heading over on its opening night, Ginger agreed to meet Chloe in the pub.

‘Here you go,’ she said, putting Chloe’s glass of wine on their usual table in front of the fire. She nodded to the burgeoning collection of carved pumpkins dotted around. ‘Looks like the pumpkin carving competition entries are flooding in.’ She peered closer at one. ‘What’s that supposed to be, I wonder?’

Chloe followed her look and laughed. ‘No idea. Shrek?’

Ginger plonked herself down and took a great gulp of her cider. To her embarrassment her hands shook.

‘You okay, Ginger? You’re all jittery.’

‘Long day. Bit trying.’ Ginger ripped open a packet of salt and vinegar and began cramming them into her mouth.

Chloe watched. ‘No time to eat tonight?’ she asked, amused.

‘Oh yes. I made Josh chickpea and coconut curry. With spinach. He ate most of it. I couldn’t eat a thing.’

‘Oh, mate, are you feeling ill? We can cancel tonight, do the fair another time.’

‘I’m not ill. Well, I am in a way.’ Ginger looked around to see if there was anyone within hearing distance. Her insides still hadn’t properly settled to normal since the massage. She glanced at Chloe, unsure how sympathetic her friend would be. Chloe was a cool customer, completely in control of her emotions, she would never have this problem. ‘I gave Josh a massage this afternoon.’

‘Okay.’ Chloe sipped her wine and then slammed her glass down as she properly heard what her friend had said. ‘A massage massage?’

Ginger nodded, feeling her cheeks flush and her breathing quicken at the memory of Josh’s firm body sliding beneath her fingers. ‘Oh yes. Hands on.’

‘Is this a step forward in your relationship? Oh, Ginger, you haven’t gone and slept with him, have you? He’s only around for a few weeks longer. There’s no future in it.’

‘Not that kind of massage,’ Ginger replied indignantly. ‘There was no bed involved, well, only my treatment couch.’

‘Oh.’ Chloe deflated. ‘So it was one of your treatment massages?’

‘Of course it was.’ Or was supposed to be. Remembering, Ginger’s nipples began to bud and a warm beat set up in between her legs. The sensuous Phyllis Nelson classic ‘Move Closer’ slid onto the pub’s sound system. ‘Not helping,’ Ginger murmured. She felt clammy and hot. Perhaps I am ill? She sipped more cider in an attempt to swallow her feelings.

‘So, what’s the problem?’

Ginger gave her a beseeching look.

‘Oh. You really like him, don’t you?’

‘More than like. I’m completely in lust.’

Chloe pulled a face.